Igniter



y 1940- H. G. SHAKESPEARE ET AL 2,207,601

IGNITER Filed Nov. 6, 1936 -3 Sheets-Sheet 1 VII/0%,,

- INVENTOR.

fiqm r 6.. fi/io/respewz BY W/fl/qm 150/] ATTORNEYS y 9, H. G. SHAKESPEARE ET AL 2,207,601

IGNITER Filed Nov. 6, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR. Henry G. fihake/speafie ATTORNEYS Patented July 9, 1940 2,207,601 IGNITER Henry G. Shakespeare and William G. Balz, Kalamazoo, Mich, assignors to Shakespeare Products Company, Kalamazoo, Mich.

Application November s, 1936, Serial No. 109,478

18 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in 'igniters.

The main objects of our invention are:

First, to provide a cigar lighter wherein an electric circuit energizing an igniting element to incandescence may be manually made and is automatically broken.

Second, to provide a device of the type described embodying a bimetallic element adapted to flex upon being heated to break the electrical heating circuit.

Third, to provide a device of the type described characterizedby its economy of parts and simplicity of construction.

Fourth, to provide a device of the type described so constructed that its operation is unfailing and always satisfactory.

Further objects relating to details and economies of our invention will definitely appear from the description to follow. The invention is defined in the claims.

Preferred embodiments of our invention are illustrated in the drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary view illustrating the parts of our lighter in assembled but unactuated or non-heating relation.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view illustrating the plug or igniting element of our device.

Fig. 3.is a view in section on line 33 of Fig. 1, illustrating the details of our lighter, the parts being shown in actuated or heating position thereof.

Fig. 4 is a view partially broken away and in section corresponding to Fig. 3, illustrating the parts in disconnected or non-heating position.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary view on line 5-5 of Fig. 6, illustrating another form or embodiment of our invention.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view partially broken away and in section, further illustrating the modified form, the parts being in actuated or heating position.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view partially in section, illustrating the disconnected or non-heating position of the bimetallic element, the plug having been removed.

Fig. 8 is a view of a further modified form of our invention mainly in longitudinal section on line 8-8 of Fig. 10 with the parts in circuit making position.

Fig. 9 is a view similar to Fig. 8 of another embodiment with the parts in circuit breaking position.

Fig. 10 is a transverse vertical sectional view on line Ill-l0 of Fig. 8.

Referring to the drawings, the reference numerals l and 2 generally indicate, respectively, a fixed metallic socket and a manually insertable and removable plug or igniting element. The socket element of the embodiment illustrated is designed to be mounted on the dashboard of an automobile or other suitable support, the socket being suitably grounded through the dashboard to the automobile frame.

The socket has a central opening 3 in the rear thereof, receiving a threaded fitting 4 which may be engaged by a locking screw (not shown) to mount the socket. The fitting receives an insulating spacer sleeve 5 carrying a lead 6 for a socket terminal 1.

The socket has portions of its bottom and side walls punched inwardly to provide a plurality of lugs 8 and 9 disposed so as to receive insulating spacing ring In and a pair of spaced insulating rings I l for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The holes l2, I3 formed by the punching of the lugs will at the same time serve as ventilating openings. The lugs 9 are substantially elongated and terminate in curved resilient fingers l4 serving as secondary electrical terminals for the socket.

The plug or igniting element 2 consists of a handle portion IS on which is threadedly mounted an insulating barrel or sleeve l6 and a heater base ll threadedly engaging the barrel. A conducting sleeve IB is suitably fixedly secured to base ll centrally thereof, being provided with a central bore for a purpose to be hereinafter described. The heater element 19 is connected at its inner end to sleeve l8 and its outer end to a conductor or contact ring 20 which contacts with contact fingers H on the socket to complete an electrical connection between these parts. Conducting ring 20 is separated from base I! by an insulating disk 2i surrounding sleeve I8.

We provide the barrel IS with a peripheral groove 22 for the purpose of receiving the nib 23 of a resilient detent 24 formed in socket l to removably hold the plug in the socket in addition to the frictional gripping efiect between plug and socket. Likewise, stops 25 punched inwardly in the socket limit the inward movement of the plug relative to the socket by engaging barrel l6 as shown in Fig. 4. The formation of the socket is completed by provision of an annular decorative outer annular flange or escutcheon 26 to engage the automobile dashboard.

This invention primarily concerns means for breaking the electrical heating circuit supplying the heating element, which means will be now described.

Rings i8 and II form a seat wherein we mount a dished or concave bimetallic disk or thermostatic element 27, the disk being normally mounted with the concavity on the plug side of its mounting so as to contact the terminal 1. A conducting pin or switch member 28 is mounted for sliding movement relative to the plug and disk, 21. extending through the conducting sleeve 88 and the bore 29 formed in the handle for that purpose. The bore 29 is countersunk at the outer end of the handle to the finger button 38 fixedly secured to the end of the pin. Suitable stops 32 are formed in or are provided for the pin interiorly of the barrel I6 to limit the outward movement of the rod relative to the plug.

The parts being initially in the position illustrated in Fig. 2, by pressing the button 3i, the pin 28 is caused to contact the bimetallic disk 21 and closing the circuit as illustrated in Fig. 3. The pin 28 is held in circuit closing position by means of a radially acting detent 33 having a round nose engaging a circumferential groove in the rod 28 and being actuated by a coil spring 34 hearing against the inner side of the barrel I6. In this position of the parts, the electrical circuit completed is as follows: Through wire 8, terminal 1, bimetallic disk 21, pin 28, sleeve I8, heater element I8, contact ring 28, conducting fingers I4, and through socket I or fitting 4 to the ground. The heater is accordingly energized and while becoming heated to incandescence heats the bimetallic disk 21. The detent 33 and the action of the thermostatic disk hold the parts in electrically contacting relation.

After an interval sufilcient to heat the igniter element, the bimetallic disk becomes suificiently heated and flexes outwardly to the position illustrated in Fig. 4, breaking its contact with the terminal 1 and projecting the member 28 outwardly against the restraining influence of the detent 33. This action will be accompanied by a snapping sound providing an audible signal, whereupon the user may remove the plug from the socket and apply the igniter element to a cigarette, cigar or pipe to be lighted. Upon cooling, disk 21 returns to normal position contacting terminal 1.

In Fig. 5, we disclose a modified form or embodiment of our invention, corresponding elements of which are indicated by corresponding reference numerals. In this form, a separate annular conducting ring 85 having contact fingers 35 and an inwardly directed restraining flange 31 is seated against an insulating insert 38 shaped to receive the ring and space the same from socket I as well as prevent inward movement of the ring. Terminal 1 is provided adjacent its outer or right hand end, as viewed in Fig. 5, with an insulating collar 39 formed with an annular groove, and a second annular groove 48 is formed in the metal of the terminal, corresponding to and in spaced relation to the groove in the insulating collar 33.

The bimetallic disk or thermostatic element 21 is provided on the side thereof opposite pin 28 with a spring contact clip 4I comprising a plurality of curved groove engaging fingers'42 adapted to alternately engage groove 48 and the groove in collar 39. The clip is secured to the bimetallic disk centrally of the same by suitable means such as spot welding.

Pin 28 is, in the modified form of Figs. 5, 6, and 7, of insulating material or carries an insulating tip 43 and base plate I1 extends radially sufilciently to engage restraining and conducting fingers 44 punched in from socket l.

The operation of the modified form is illustrated in Figs. 5, 6, and 7. In-Fig. 5, the plug is inserted in the socket, but the device is in non-heating or unactuated position. In Fig. 6, button 3| has been depressed, with the result that pin 28 urges disk 21 against restraining flange 31. The pin is maintained in this position by the engagement of detent 33 in the pin groove and a heating circuit is completed through the heater element I8 as follows: Through wire 5, contact 1, fingers 32, bimetallic disk 2?, flange 31, contact'fingers 88, conducting ring 28. igniter element I9, sleeve I8, base plate i1, and socket II or fitting 4 to ground. Upon becoming heated, the thermostatic element 2? flexes to the right as indicated in solid lines in Fig. 1, acting against flange 81 to draw fingers 82 from groove 48 into engagement with the groove in insulating collar 39. This action breaks the circuit supplying current to the igniter element and the plug may be withdrawn for use. Upon becoming cool, disk 21 will flex into the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 7 and in full lines in Fig. 5, leaving the device in the initial unactuated condition illustrated in Fig. and ready for further use.

In Fig. 8, we disclose amodified form characterized by the fact that the insulating handle or grip portion I5 has a cylindrical barrel 45 which is slidable in a metal plug body member 46, which sleeve is likewise slidable in metallic socket I, being frictionally contacted by spring fingers 41 punched in the wall thereof. As indicated, the fingers have rounded sleeve engaging portions and a groove 48 is formed annularly of the body 46 to receive the fingers. The fingers act as detents for yieldingly retaining the removable ele ment.

Conducting or switch pin 28 is rigidly mounted in barrel 45 and has an enlarged head 49 adapted to contact the bimetallic disk 21 or to engage the end of the sleeve I8 as indicated in dotted lines. Pin 28 is enlarged at the portion thereof adjacent sleeve 46, an annular groove 58 being cut in this portion, which groove is engaged by bowed spring fingers 5| maintained in fixed relation by means of the heater conducting sleeve I8. Insulating washers 52, 53 space the annular conducting ring 28 and the spring fingers 5| from the inner end 54 of plug body 46.

The electric terminal 1 is provided with a head 18 which is normally in contact with the convex face of the bimetallic disk 21. The terminal is insulated from socket member I by washers 55 and the socket member is conformed to receive and position an annular insulating spacer element 56 of U-shaped cross section, which element insulates the bimetallic disk 21 from the socket.

From the above description, it will be seen there is a lost motion connection between handle or grip I5 and the heater element through the conducting pin or switch 28. In normal position of the parts, the head 49 of conducting pin 28 is spaced from the bimetallic disk and the member 45 is frictionally gripped by fingers 41 engaging groove 48, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 8. When it is desired to energize the-heater, the handle and barrel 45 are pushed inwardly carrying the head 49 of conducting pin 28 into electrical contact with the bimetallic disk, as illustrated in solid lines in Fig. 8, whereupon a circuit is completed from terminal 1 through disk 21, pin 28, sleeve I8, heater element I9, annular conducting ring 28, contact fingers I4, and socket I to ground. Upon the element being suitably heated,

iii

the bimetallic disk likewise becomes heated and flexes to the right as illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 8, breaking contact with terminal I and retracting conducting pin 28, hence barrel l5 and handle l5 outwardly to their original position, as indicated in dotted lines. Thereafter, the plug may be manually removed as a whole against the retaining spring action of fingers 41. When the bimetallic disk cools it returns to the position shown in Fig. 8 in solid lines.

In Fig. 9, we disclose a further modified form similar to that of Fig. 8, save for the fact that the handle portion l5 carrying pin 28 is in sliding relation to an insulating block 60 internally threadedly secured to the plug body 46. The block 60 is reduced in diameter at its inner end and radially drilled to accommodate a spring urged detent 51 having a rounded nose 58 receivable in a groove 59 in the pin. The manipulation of the just described modification and the electric heating circuit formed are identical to those of the embodiment of Fig. 8 and need not be repeated.

From the above description, it will be seen that devices in which our invention is embodied are compact in structure and economical in parts, as well as being unfailing in operation. The button may be depressed into actuated position to complete the heating circuit and no further attention paid to the device until the heating element has reached incandescence, whereupon the audible signal attending its circuit breaking operation will attract attention and the plug may be removed.

We have illustrated and described our improvements in embodiments which we have found very practical. We have not attempted to illustrate or describe other embodiments or adaptations as it is believed this disclosure will enable those skilled in the art to embody or adapt our improvements as may be desired.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Pateat is:

1. In an igniter of the class described, the combination of a socket member, a coacting removable plug member provided with an igniter element, electrical connections in said socket and plug members for forming an electrical circuit to said igniter element, a dished bimetallic disk mounted in said socket member and adapted to flex upon heating, a manually actuated contact pin slidable centrally of said plug member to establish an electrical circuit through said disk with a socket connection, said pin being in sliding electrical connection with said igniter element whereby the electrical circuit is established through said igniter element to heat the same,

and a yielding detent coacting with said pin and acting to yieldingly hold the parts in circuit making position, said disk flexing upon being heated to retract said pin and break the circuit against the resistance of said detent.

2. In an igniter of the class described, the combination of a socket member, a coacting removable plug member provided with an igniter element, electrical connections in said socket and plug members for forming an electrical circuit to said igniter element, a dished bimetallic disk mounted in said socket member and adapted to flex upon heating, a manually actuated means movably mounted on said plug member to establish an electrical circuit through said disk with a socket connection, said manually actuated means being in electrical connection with said igniter element whereby the electrical circuit is established through said igniter element to heat the same, and a yielding detent coacting with said manually actuated means and acting to yieldingly hold the parts in circuit making position, said disk flexing upon being heated to retract said manually actuated means and break the circuit against the resistance of said detent.

3. In an igniter of the class described, the combination of a socket member, a coacting removable plug member provided with an igniter element, electrical connections in said socket and plug members for forming an electrical circuit to said igniter element, a dished bimetallic disk mounted in said socket member and adapted to flex upon heating, and a manually actuated circuit closing means movably mounted on said plug member to establish an electrical circuit through said disk with a socket connection, said manually actuated means being in electrical connection with said igniter element whereby the electrical circuit is established through said igniter element to heat the same, said disk fiexing upon being heated to retract said manually actuated circuit closing means and break the circuit.

4. In an igniter of the class described, the combination of a socket member, a coacting removable plug member provided with an igniter eilement, electrical connections in said socket and plug members for forming an electrical circult to said igniter element, and means for automatically breaking said circuit, comprising a thermostatic member in said socket member adaptedv to flex upon heating, amanually actuated means movable into and out of contact with said'thermostatic member for closing a circuit through said thermostatic member and a socket connection, and said manually actuated means being slidable axially of the plug and socket members and being in sliding electrical connection with said igniter element whereby the electrical; circuit is established through said igniter element to heat the same, and means coacting to yieldingly hold the parts in circuit making p'osition, said thermostatic member flexing toward the manually actuated means upon being heated to positively expel the actuated means from contact therewith and break the circuit against the resistance of said holding means.

5. In an igniter of the class described, a socket member, a removable plug member coacting with said socket member and provided with an igniter element, pairs of contact elements on said members for forming an electrical circuit to energize said igniter element, said igniter element being connected to one of the plug contact elements, a switch member slidably mounted in said plug member and extending externally thereof for manual "actuation, and a thermostatic element in said socket member adapted to flex upon being heated a predetermined amount, said thermostatic element being normally in conducting relation to one of the socket contacts, said switch member having a conducting portion thereon in circuit making relation to said igniter element and extending through said igniter element for engagement with said thermostatic element upon manual actuation of the switch member, and in actuated position completing said electrical circuit to energize the igniter element, said thermostatic element upon becoming heated a predetermined amount flexing out of contact with said one of said socket contacts to break said circuit and expel said switch member.

6. In an igniter of the class described, a relatively fixed socket member having a centrally disposed electrical terminal insulated from the socket member and adapted for connection to a supply of electrical energy, a disk-like dished thermostatic element adapted to flex upon being heated, operatively associated with said terminal and normally contacting with said terminal, a removable member engageable with said socket member and provided with an igniter element at its inner end, a manually actuated pin slidable in said removable member, and means on said removable member connected to said igniter and slidably receiving said pin, said pin on actuation being in circuit establishing relation with said terminal, said pin serving to electrically connect said thermostatic element with the igniter element in said actuated position, said thermostatic element when sufliciently heated in its actuated position flexing outwardly to break the electrical connection thereof with said terminal.

'7. In an igniter of the class described, a relatively fixed socket member having an electrical terminal insulated from the socket member and adapted for connection to a supply of electrical energy,- a thermostatic element adapted to flex upon being heated, operativeiy associated with, said terminal and normally in spaced relation thereto, a removable member engageable with said socket member and provided with an igniter element at its inner end, a manually actuated pin slidable in said removable member, and means on said removable member connected to said igniter and slidably receiving said pin, said pin on actuation being in circuit establishing relation with said terminal, said pin serving to electrically connect said thermostatic element with the igniter element in said actuated position, said thermostatic element when sufficiently heated in its actuated position flexing outwardly to break the electrical connection thereof with said terminal.

8. In an igniter of the class described, a relatively fixed socket member having an electrical terminal insulated from the socket, a thermostatic element adapted to flex upon being heated, means for mounting said element on said terminal in insulated relation thereto, a removable member engageable with said socket member and provided with an igniter element, a manually actuated member slidable on said removable member and engageable with said thermostatic element when actuated to move said thermostatic element to circuit establishing relation with said terminal, said thermostatic element when sufliciently heated in its actuated position flexing outwardly to break the electrical connection thereof with said terminal and return to said insulated relation thereto.

9. In an igniter, a relatively fixed member and a removable member operativeiy associated therewith and carrying an igniter element, said members having cooperating contacts whereby when an electrical circuit is established therebetween said igniter element is heated, a flexible thermostatic member carried by said fixed member, control means slidably carried by said removable member and movable inwardly and outwardly relative thereto and past said igniter element to engage said thermostatic member, said control means extending externally of the removable member for manual actuation and having a portion in conducting relation to said igniter element, said thermostatic member having a F r-- tion normally contacting a fixed member contact, said portions engaging and completing said circuit through said igniter element and thermostatic element in actuated position. of the control means, and yielding means engaging said control means to yieldingly retain it in actuated position, said thermostatic member flexing upon being heated to break contact of the portion thereon with said socket member contact and expel said control means.

10. In an igniter, a relatively fixed member and a removable member operativeiy associated therewith and carrying an igniter element, said members having cooperating contacts whereby when an electrical circuit is established therebetweensaid igniter element is heated, a flexible thermostatic member carried by said fixed member, and control means movably mounted on said removable member and movable inwardly and outwardly relative thereto to positions in and out of engagement with said thermostatic member, said thermostatic member having a portion in conducting relation to one of the fixed member contacts and the control means having a portion in conducting relation to said igniter element, said thermostatic element completing said electrical circuit through said portions, the igniter element, and the fixed and removable member contacts when the control means engages the thermostatic member, said thermostatic element flexing upon being heated to expel the control means.

11. In an igniter having relatively flxed and movable members, the movable member carrying an igniter element, pairs of contacts on said members adapted when engaged to form parts of an electrical circuit through said igniter element, means to complete said circuit comprising a switch member having a portion in conducting relation to one end of said igniter element, the other end of said igniter element being connected to one of the contacts on the movable member, said switch member extending externally of said movable member for manual actuation, and a thermostatic element in said fixed member adapted to be engaged by said switch member when the latter is in actuated position, said thermostatic element in the last named position of the switch member engaging one of the fixed member contacts, and the conducting portion on the switch member being in electrically conducting relation to said one of the fixed member contacts in said last named position whereby said electrical circuit is completed and the igniter element becomes heated, said thermostatic member flexing away from said one of said fixed member contacts upon becoming sufiiciently heated and thereby expelling the switch member and breaking said circuit.

12. In an igniter having relatively fixed and movable members, the movable member carrying an igniter element, pairs of contacts on said members adapted when engaged to form parts 01 an electrical circuit through said igniter element, means to complete said circuit comprising a switch member having a portion in conducting relation to one end of said igniter element, the other end of said igniter element being connected to one of the contacts on the movable member, said switch member extending externally of said movable member for manual actuation, and a thermostatic element in said fixed member adapted to be engaged by said switch member when the latter is in actuated position, the conducting portion on the switch member being in electrically conducting relation to a fixed member contact in said last named position whereby said electrical circuit is completed and the igniter element becomes heated, said thermostatic member flexing upon becoming sufiiciently heated and thereby expelling the switch member.

13. In an igniter, a socket member having a central electrical terminal provided with an insulated portion and a conducting portion connected to a source of current supply and both I provided with annular grooves, a dished disklike thermostatic element having contact fingers adapted to alternately engage the grooves of said conducting portion of said terminal and said insulated portion thereof, a plug member engageable with said socket member and having an igniter element at the inner end thereof, means electrically connecting said thermostatic element with said igniter element in operative position of said thermostatic element and contact fingers thereon, a manually actuated member on said plug member, and means on said plug member electrically connected to said igniter e1- ement and socket member, said manually actuated member being slidably associated with said means, said manually actuated member being adapted to force said thermostatic element and the fingers into coacting relation with the electrical conducting portion of said terminal whereby an electrical circuit is established through said igniter element, said thermostatic element when heated flexing to inoperative position and shifting said fingers into engagement with said insulated portion of said terminal.

portion and a conducting portion connected to a source of current supply, a thermostatic element having contact fingers adapted to alternately engage said conducting portion 01' said terminal and said insulated portion thereof, a.

plug member engageable with said socket member and having an igniter element, means electrically connecting said thermostatic element with said igniter element in operative position of said thermostatic element and contact fingers thereon, a manually actuated member on said plug member, and means on said plug member electrically connected to said igniter element and socket member, said manually actuated member being associated with said means. said manually actuated member being adapted to force said thermostatic element and the fingers into coacting relation with the electrical conducting portion of said terminal whereby an electrical circuit is established through said igniter element, said thermostatic element when heated flexing to inoperative position and shifting said fingers into engagement with said insulated portion of said terminal. c

15. In an igniter, a socket member having an electrical terminal provided with an insulated portion and a conducting portion connected to a source of current supply, a thermostatic element having contact fingers adapted to alternately engage said conducting portion of said terminal and said insulated portion thereof, a plug member engageable with said socket member and having an igniter element, means electrically connecting said thermostatic element with said igniter element in operative position of said thermostatic element and contact fingers thereon, and a manually actuated member on said plug member adapted to force said thermostatic element and the fingers into coacting relation with the electrical conducting portion of said terminal whereby an electrical circuit is established through said igniter element, said thermostatic element when heated flexing to inoperative position and shifting said fingers into engagement with said insulated portion of said terminal.

16. In an igniter of the class described, a relatively fixed socket member having a central electrical supply terminal at its inner end insulated from the socket member, a disk-like dished thermostatic element adapted to flex upon being heated, mounted in said socket member and insulated therefrom, with the center thereof normally. contacting with said central terminal and the edge thereof restrained, a plug member removably engageable with said socket member and provided with an igniter element at its inner end, a manually actuated switch member having a lost motion connection with said plug member and provided with a finger piece constituting a finger piece for said plug member, said switch member when actuated contacting with said thermostatic element for establishing a circuit through said igniter element, and means for yieldingly holding said switch member in circuit establishing position, the flexing of said thermostatic element when heated acting to return said switch member to circuit breaking position in opposition to v said holding means. 14. In an igniter, a socket member having an electrical terminal provided with an insulated 17. In an .igniter of the class described, a relatively fixed socket member having a central electrical supply terminal at its inner end insulated from the socket, a disk-like dished thermostatic element adapted to fiex upon being heated, mounted in said socket member and insulated therefrom with the center of the disk axially alined with the central terminal, a plug member removably engageable with said socket member andprovided with an igniter element, a manually actuated switch member slidable axially in the plug member and adapted when actuated to contact said thermostatic element centrally thereof, and means for yieldingly holding .said switch in actuated position, the fiexing'of said thermostatic element when heated acting to expel said switch member.

18. In an igniter, a relatively fixed socket member having a central electrical supply terminal at its inner end insulated from the socket member, a disk-like dished thermostatic element adapted to flex upon being heated, mounted in said socket member and insulated therefrom, with the peripheral edge of said element restrained in the socket and the center thereof normally contacting with said terminal, a removable member provided with an igniter ele ment, and a manually actuated switch member carried by said removable element in current transmitting relation to said igniter element and adapted when actuated to contact the center of said thermostatic element for establishing an electrical connection for said igniter element, said -thermostatic element upon flexing acting to return said switch member to open position.

HENRY G. SHAKESPEARE. WILLIAM G. BALZ. 

